DETROIT—Relief pitcher Yohan Ramírez committed two consecutive errors in the ninth inning Sunday, July 14, paving the way for the Detroit Tigers to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4–3 for their second straight comeback win over the National League West leaders.
Ramírez made a wide throw to third base on Wenceel Pérez’s sacrifice bunt, allowing Justyn-Henry Malloy to score the second run of the inning for the victory. The right-hander failed to field Ryan Vilade’s sacrifice bunt in the previous at-bat, advancing Malloy to second.
Former Dodger Zach McKinstry hit a leadoff triple in the ninth and scored on Malloy’s single after manager A.J. Hinch sent up Malloy as a pinch-hitter.
“Hung an 0–2 breaking ball to McKinstry for a triple, and that sort of opened the flood gates,” Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts said.
Ramírez (0–5) gave up three hits and two runs in an inning, one day after he surrendered Gio Urshela’s two-run home run in the 10th inning of an 11–9 loss in which the Dodgers gave up seven runs in the last two innings.
Alex Faedo (4–1) picked up the win for the Tigers after getting the last out in the top of the ninth.
Los Angeles is 48–2 when leading after eight innings, losing both games in that situation in Detroit.
“Certainly, a frustrating way to finish off the first half,” Roberts said.
The Dodgers are limping into the All-Star break, losing six of seven games with a banged-up pitching staff.
“I guess the break came at a good time,” All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman said.
Detroit, meanwhile, has won three straight series. The Tigers took three of four earlier in the week against the American League Central-leading Cleveland Guardians after having swept Cincinnati.
“You’ve got to put together good stretches to feel good about yourself and move yourself into better situations,” Hinch said. “We still have a long ways to go to be where we want to be.”
Shohei Ohtani had two hits, the Dodgers scored three runs in the first inning, and it looked that might be enough for the win before the late collapse.
Los Angeles right-hander Brent Honeywell Jr. started the game after being claimed from Pittsburgh, which designated the right-hander for assignment on Friday, and he gave up only one hit over three innings.
“Desperate times, absolutely,” Roberts said.
